Friday
22nd Nov 2024
Dhivehi Edition
North Maafannu Constituency MP Imthiyaz Fahmy has opted to remain silent on whether the candidate from ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) for 2023 Presidential elections should go to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
MP Imthiyaz is contesting for MDP chairperson. Economic Development Minister Fayyaz Ismail is contesting for the same position. The official debate was held Wednesday evening.
The question was posed in the yes or no segment of the debate.
When queried over the issue, MP Imthiyaz said it has to be settled via a primary. The moderator had pressed on, repeating that it was a yes or no question. MP Imthiyaz stuck to his affirmation that any decision on the matter will be settled by a primary, as mandated under MDP bylaws.
Minister Fayyaz was more forthcoming. When he was posed with the same questioned, he said the ticket has to be awarded to President Solih.
MDP bylaws state that any election ticket needs to be awarded after a primary. There are others who argue that the incumbent President must be awarded the ticket if he were to contest for the same seat. They refer to the Party Congress decision made in 2012, which states that the ticket can be awarded to the incumbent President without a primary.
In spite of this, party leader former President Mohamed Nasheed had announced that he intends to contest in the primary for 2023 elections. Nasheed’s supporters have backed this claim, stating that the party tickets cannot be handed over without a primary.
Nasheed was given the ticket without a primary back in 2012. The Party Congress had argued that Nasheed was not given the chance to complete his tenure in office and as such must be given the opportunity to complete a term. Nasheed had resigned office on February 7, 2012.